Greenwich officials Wednesday welcomed sentiments expressed in a letter to the town by the family of Bart Palosz, the Greenwich High School sophomore who committed suicide on the first day of school last year.

"(It's a) beautiful letter that encourages healing by encouraging each and every adult and student in the Greenwich public school system to strive to be models of greater kindness and inclusivity each and every day," said Board of Education Chairman Barbara O'Neill. "The Palosz family and loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers."

The family sent the letter, addressed to the people of Greenwich, to Hearst Connecticut Media on Wednesday, the one-year anniversary of Palosz's death.

"We wish to thank all of you in the community who have supported us and have given us such kind words of encouragement," the family wrote. "It is so nice to see there are many good people around."

Palosz's death had a major impact on the town. His family said that he was bullied persistently and intensely in school, prompting investigations by Greenwich police and the town Law Department.

After their investigation, police said they found no incidents that rose to the level of actual crimes, and no arrests were made. Town Attorney John Wayne Fox earlier this year told the school board that Palosz was "subjected to acts by students or groups of students directed against him with what I would define and describe as an intent to ridicule, humiliate or to intimidate him." The Law Department has not publicly released a written report of its investigation.

The Palosz family addressed the treatment Bart endured in Wednesday's letter: "It is our greatest wish that the bullying Bart was subjected to will never happen again to another child," they wrote. "He was such a kind, sweet boy who we loved with all our hearts and whose sincere desire was to be liked and have many friends."

Superintendent of Schools William

McKersie said Wednesday that Palosz remains in the hearts and minds of students and staff.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends today," he said. "This is a caring and compassionate community -- sentiments that we want to continually build on in the schools and throughout the community."

The loss of Palosz produced reflection and debate among Greenwich students, parents and educators about how to improve the atmosphere at Greenwich High and the district's other schools. One of the most significant responses was the creation of a student anti-bullying club, GHS Connections.

By the end of last school year, many students said the atmosphere had improved in the aftermath of Palosz's death A fellow sophomore, Ashley Jones, wrote her own open letter praising the school "for the steps it has already taken to become a safe, bully-free environment."

Elias Frank, a 2014 Greenwich High graduate and one of the founders of GHS Connections, said Wednesday that improving the school atmosphere needs to be an ongoing mission.

"We can always make GHS a more friendly environment, more accepting, more inviting," he said. "We did such a good job of that last year, and hopefully we can continue so a situation like Bart's never happens again."

The Paloszes closed their letter with a hopeful and compassionate message.

"As your children head back into the classroom, please encourage them to be kind," they wrote. "They may gain a great friend, or even save a life."

Police Chief James Heavey said that, as a father, his first thought on the anniversary was about the family and how they are coping.

"Upon seeing their open letter I am encouraged that its tone is one of healing and hope," he said.

"The second thought was that although I only knew Bart briefly through Boy Scouts, that he was a sweet boy who was loved by his family. And lastly, as a police officer, I continue to recognize that suicide is a public health issue and everyone in the community has to work toward its prevention."